John Stones

[Deco]

He's good enough to be a part of the rotation, which is a huge plus considering his age.

He'll keep getting better, and even though he has things to improve on, he's 19 years old and has time on his side

 

[Big Doug]

needs to be a CB IMO, not good enough attacking wise atm for a fullback, but providing he bulks up in the gym he would make a very good ball playing CB

 

[messymascot]

Definitely a CB look at his height playing him at RB will just confuse him positionally. He's got pace and composure on the ball he will make a good partner for Jagielka in short term and maybe Duffy long term no nonsense style defenders. RB is a totally different mindset not many players master both positions. Remember how many times Lescott was caught out positionally when he was being moved from LB to CB and back again. I hope Coleman is back against Spurs but if he isn't I'd definitely give Hibbert a chance. He's 19 will definitely have setbacks in his career its how he reacts which will show what type of player he will be. Maybe it's the usual overhyping that has made his couple of slightly off pace performances look worse. Anyways good win today lets hope it reignites our chase for 4th.

 

[Azzurri]

Not a full back. He looks lost in their half.

Good enough centre back and will be brilliant, but I'd consider playing Hibbert over him at full back for the time being.

 

[TX Bill]

Great CB and I think with time and training, could become a good backup to Coleman at RB.

Really glad he's in our squad.

 

[TX Bill]

Not saying your wrong in your argument bill, especially with a day to sober up after that match, I don't rate hibbert at all, never have, but thats another debate, I'm saying I completly understand why Berto went for Stones, he got in good positions going forward but to little effect in the end, he had jags completly off his game as well as Barry, and defended one on one pretty well. We may have lost by one less goal with hibbert in the team, but do we go to anfield and beat teams like that with him in team? Not with the gameplan martinez wants play, he picked a team to take it to them, but fatigue a lack of fully fit players and granted possibly experience as well cost us dearly, and them well and truly counter punched the stuffing out of us. Martinez gambled on the quality players regardless of fitness or other factors, it didn't work out but I don't blame him for doing it, and was made up when I saw the starting line up. In the long run do top four chasing teams rely on the tony hibberts of the world, not for me I'm afraid

Sorry but I couldn't reply to this yesterday but wanted to say that I understand where you're coming from here. I can't argue with Martinez wanting to be more aggressive in the attack either.

 

[Macca99]

Best young centre half I've seen a while. Attacking wise at right back, he looks like bambi

 

[Joey66]

Best young centre half I've seen a while. Attacking wise at right back, he looks like bambi

Where as Hibbert is crass - when he came on today Villa raided his wing, and he did look uncomfortable! - over the hill by far!

 

[Duncan Disordely]

Excellent today. Big future ahead for this lad. Comfy on the ball, can tackle and has good strength considering he looks so slight. With games he'll be brilliant

 

[barneygumble]

I thought he didn't do too badly. But i agee with the poster above, he's got a bright future, the only mistake he made today was not trapping the ball in one incident in the second half, which have Carroll a half chance, which could have been crucial!

 

[Azzurri]

Great today. Gets underneath the ball sometimes and watches helplessly as it flies over his head, but other than that can't fault him.

 

[Duncan Disordely]

Great today. Gets underneath the ball sometimes and watches helplessly as it flies over his head, but other than that can't fault him.

That was my worry with him today, with them playing long ball footy. They seemed to be targeting his area with their goal kicks quite often first half, but I think he did well enough on that front today. Better than the game a few weeks ago anyway.

 

[SunKing]

As said, balls over his head seem to be the area which he'll need the most learning but I thought he was great today. Reads the game very well, seemed to just step up and intercept a number of times today. Very cool head on him, reminds me of Rio. As a young centre back he will make mistakes and in that position you tend to get punished, think we all need to remember that for future reference. Top top defender in the making

 

[MartSlinger]

Thought when Carroll came on he'd have a bit of trouble but nope, he calmly picked up Carroll and placed him in his back pocket.

 

[ART]

Just hope he keeps his cool when the the big boys come calling and the English mediea build him up only to start kicking him down again. Agreat EPL talent nothing more nothing less.